ME Honour Board

100 Club

Simon Scanlon - 200 for Crusaders v. Centaurs Mark Eames - 163* for Infidels v. Scorpions Damian Green - 150* for Infidels v. KCC Colts Rahul Sharma - 147 for Templars v. Yamano XI Rahul Sharma - 145* for KCC v. HKCC (Hancock Shield) Rahul Sharma - 143 for Templars v. Infidels Mark Eames - 143 for Infidels v. Templars Rahul Sharma - 135* for Saracens v. Witherers Mark Eames - 124 for Infidels v. Scorpions TR Kalyanaraman - 118* for Templars v. Infidels Rahul Sharma - 112 for KCC v. HKCC (Hancock Shield) Anthony Barnett - 111* for Crusaders v. HKU Simon Scanlon - 111 for Crusaders v. Lamma Damain Green - 109* for Crusaders v. St George's Rahul Sharma - 106 for Templars v. Infidels Sher Lama - 105* for Tartars v. Kai Tak Mark Eames - 100 for Infidels v. Optimists Manoj Cheruparambil - 100 for Crusaders v. Mainlanders Damain Green - 100 for Crusaders v. CCC

5+ Wickets

Azam - 6 for 20 for Tartars v. DBS Sher Lama - 6 for 30 for Templars v. Infidels Yogesh Mahtani - 6 for 77 for Colts v. LSW Sher Lama - 5 for 24 for Templars v. Yamano XI Rahul Sharma - 5 for 26 for Templars v. Vagabonds Aftab Ahmed - 5 for 28 for Templars v. KCC Colts Rahul Sharma - 5 for 30 for Saracens v. Gap Ramblers Imran Farcy - 5 for 32 for Infidels v. Scorpions Imran Farcy - 5 for 37 for Crusaders v. Nomads Aftab Ahmad - 5-47 for Tartars v. Saracens (incl. hat-trick)

2001-02 HKCA Award Winners

Individuals Mark Eames - Best Sunday League Batsman Shkawat Ali - Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Teams Tartars - Saturday Cup Runners-up Under 13 - Under 13 League Champions

2001-02 KCC Award Winners

Rahul Sharma - KCC Player of the Year (Bob Bell Trophy) Mark Eames - Sunday Batsman Mohammad Zubair - Sunday Bowler Rahul Sharma - Saturday Batsman Imran Farcy - Saturday Bowler Yogesh Mahtani - Most Improved Colt Rahul Sharma - Best Indiviudal Performance of the Year Graeme Jardine - Services to Cricket (Ivy Collins Plate)

100 100s

Rahul Sharma, former Ranji Trophy player, captain of Hong Kong and most importantly a true KCC member, achieved a rare milestone in the just completed cricket season with his 100th century in Hong Kong.

Its sounds easy to say "100 100s", "a century of centuries", "a ton of tons'.

Easy to say but the enormity of this task will be apparent to those of us who follow the game closely and appreciate the talents of such a gifted cricketer who continues to blossom at an age when many of us are contemplating retirement. Now in his 40s Rahul continues to reel off runs week in and week out for the Saracens and Templars that only a sample of the official Hong Kong Cricket Association statistics from the past 6 seasons can adequately put into perspective:-

Rahul in action at the 2001 Hong Kong International Sixes

These numbers can only be described in Hong Kong terms as "Bradmenesque". When Rahul comes to the crease to bat, most bowlers shudder at the thought of trying to contain a man who always looks like he is setting himself for a century. Since his debut in the 1993/94 season many in the Saracens and Templars will be familiar with his methods. Normally a steady starter, he will rarely take chances early in his innings, preferring to pace himself by playing to his strengths on the drive and through the 'V" which is the hallmark of all classic batsmen. As he progresses through his innings he will expand his repertoire using his feet to spinners, pulling the quicks and playing some of those deft shots on the master batsmen can execute well such as the "late cut", "sweep" and drive through cover point. Once he passes 50 and as he becomes more confident that the team's position is secure he will open his shoulders with lofted drives and pulls, and he will take more risks with shots wider of the crease. If he is successful during this period of his innings he will accelerate his run rate and quickly move to his century.

One of Rahul's great strengths is that once he makes his hundred he has the ability to go on and continue his innings. Very few batsmen are able to sustain their concentration for the 2 to 3 hours necessary to score a century. Rahul goes one step further and can turn a mere 100 runs into 120, 130 or 150 or more. When in this mood Rahul is irresistible and bowlers are helpless to arrest the tide of runs which will flow from his bat as he displays his full array of shots. Many a day have his fellow team-mates watched as he systematically dismantled a bowling attack and others waited their turn to bat at No 3, 4 or, 5 only be left in awe as he carried his bat through the innings or very close to the death.

Always combative, Rahul has a thirst for runs and a determination to protect his wicket which sets the standard for us all. Not inclined to be satisfied with a quick 20 or 30 runs, he will bat for as long as he can, regardless of the conditions or team circumstances. A prime example of his determination in the recent Hong Kong tour to Sharjah, where the hot and dry conditions Rahul emerged as the Player of the tournament and almost single handedly propped up the Hong Kong batting when many other well credentialed players succumbed to the conditions. His strength of mind in those conditions were testament to his determination and courage when on the field.

Rahul on behalf of the KCC we salute you. Your mastery of the game has been a joy for us to behold and we congratulate you on this wonderful achievement of 100 centuries. We look forward to many more years of service to the KCC and Hong Kong.

Footnote :- Coincidentally Rahul has achieved this feat in the same year as his wife gave birth to their first child so further congratulations are in order for the Sharmas this year!

- Anthony Correa